Nicolette Powe, associate professor of public health at Youngstown State University, has been elected to serve a five-year term on the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) Board of Commissioners beginning in January 2026.

Powe’s election to the board represents both a personal honor and professional milestone in her more than two decades of work advancing health equity and credentialing excellence.

“Being elected to the NCHEC Board of Commissioners represents both a personal honor and a professional milestone for me,” Powe said. “It allows me to contribute meaningfully to the organization that shaped my own career as a credentialed health education specialist. I am deeply committed to supporting NCHEC’s mission to enhance the professional practice of health education and health promotion and to ensuring that credentialing remains inclusive, evidence-based and reflective of the diverse communities it serves.”

The NCHEC Board of Commissioners governs the nation’s professional credentialing standards for Certified Health Education Specialists and Master Certified Health Education Specialists. In this leadership role, Powe will focus on expanding awareness of the credentials, supporting professional development and fostering partnerships across academic, governmental and nonprofit sectors.

“My goals align with NCHEC’s mission to improve the practice of health education and promotion,” she said. “I bring a bold vision grounded in service, support and workforce development.”

At YSU, Powe integrates NCHEC’s eight Areas of Responsibility into her teaching and mentoring – namely: Assessment of Needs and Capacity; Planning; Implementation; Evaluation and Research; Advocacy; Communication; Leadership and Management; and Ethics and Professionalism – guiding students as they prepare for CHES® and MCHES® certification. She also leads Guin Fit, A CDC REACH-funded initiative linking classroom learning with community-based health practice of advancing health equity, nutrition access and chronic disease prevention.

“My appointment directly aligns with and enhances my work and teaching at YSU,” Powe said. “It allows me to embed real-world credentialing insights into student learning, preparing them to become qualified workforce-ready health education specialists.”

Powe said her service on the board will strengthen YSU’s role in shaping the next generation of public health professionals.

“This recognition by NCHEC reflects YSU’s deep commitment to advancing public health and professional development in the field,” she said. “This opportunity bridges academic preparation with national leadership, evaluating both my students and the profession.”

In addition to her work at YSU, Powe previously served as the chair of NCHEC’s Division Board for Professional Development, where she championed continuing education and mentorship for credentialed professionals nationwide.